Focus Publications

In-depth studies on regional issues and developments

Focus Publications

About Focus

A study published periodically on a particular issue in one of the regional countries.

59 Publications

Latest Publications

January, 2026

Women's Access to Justice Under Taliban 2.0: Diminishing Freedom, Systematic Hurdles, and the Way Forward

Laiba Wajid Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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December, 2025

The Autonomy Paradox: India in Space Security and Politics of Alliances

Maheen Zahra Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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November, 2025

Climate Overshoot in Pakistan: Era of Tipping Point

Talha Tufail Bhatti and Muhammad Mustafa Mehmood Asst. Research Officer and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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October, 2025

China's Endeavours for Advancing Multilateralism, Global Governance Initiative, Development Cooperation, and the Global South

Nabila Jaffer and Hasnain Saeed Research Analyst and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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September, 2025

Two Operations in the Aftermath of Pahalgam: Battle of Perceptions, Doctrinal Shifts & Challenging Reality

Humera Iqbal Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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August, 2025

Harvesting Hunger: The Fight for Food Sovereignty in Pakistan

Talha Tufail Bhatti and Muhammad Mustafa Mehmood Asst. Research Officer and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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July, 2025

From Crisis to Violence: The Persecution of Indian Muslims Post-Pahalgam 2025

Iman Faisal Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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June, 2025

Reassessing Iran-US Negotiations Post-Israel-Iran Escalation

Syed Fraz Hussain Naqvi and Qissa Zahra Akbar Asst. Research Officer and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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May, 2025

The Nexus of Culture, Media, and Faith in the Age of Anthropocene

Talha Tufail Bhatti and Muhammad Mustafa Mehmood Asst. Research Officer and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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April, 2025

NATO’s Leftover Weapons in Afghanistan: Implications for Regional Security

Syed Imran Sardar, Aarish U. Khan, and Aleena Shah RA, RA and ARO

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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March, 2025

Challenging Aspects of Pak-Afghan Trade and Potential Solutions

Mohammad Qasim Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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February, 2025

Revival of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy after the Debacle of East Pakistan

Omiamah Khan Research Analyst at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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January, 2025

Cyber Threat Assessment in Iran: Advancement and Challenges

Syed Fraz Hussain Naqvi and Wardah Shahid Asst. Research Officer and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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December, 2024

China Pakistan Economic Corridor 2.0: Overcoming Challenges and Fostering New Collaborative Measures

Nabila Jaffer and Moaaz Manzoor Research Analyst and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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November, 2024

Challenges to Nuclear Non-Proliferation in South Asia since 1998: A Case Study of India and Pakistan

Muhammad Ans Ijaz Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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October, 2024

The Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence

Talha Tufail Bhatti and Inshal Haider Asst. Research Officer and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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September, 2024

Is ASEAN the new European Union?

Imran Sardar Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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August, 2024

Transboundary Resilience: Towards Regional Climate Cooperation

Talha Tufail Bhatti and Sandaleen Qaiser Asst. Research Officer and Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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July, 2024

Water Security: the Importance of the Helmand River in Alleviating Iran’s Water Scarcity

Syed Fraz Hussain Naqvi & Mashaal Shahnawaz Asst. Research Officer and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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June, 2024

Renewed Iran-Israel Rivalry in the Middle East: Consequences for the Arab World

Syed Fraz Hussain Naqvi Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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May, 24

Analysing Modi’s Claim on Sri Lanka’s Katchatheevu Island

Syed Imran Sardar Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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April, 2024

Agitation of Farmers Towards Modi's Policies and its Influence on 2024 Indian Legislative Elections?

Incha Hussain Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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March, 2024

Strategic Ambiguity in Nuclear Doctrines: A Case Study of India and Pakistan

Ibrar Hussain M.Phil. scholar in IR at NUML

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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February, 2024

Violence against non-Bengalis in 1971

Maryam Mastoor Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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January, 2024

US-India Semiconductor Cooperation: Options for Pakistan

Warda Ghafoor Graduate, National Defense University (NDU)

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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December, 2023

Global Climate Breakdown: Unveiling the Nexus between Fossils and Capitalism

Talha Tufail Bhatti Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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November, 2023

Digital Payment Adoption in India and Pakistan: A Comparative Analysis

Syeda Sophia Bukhari Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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October, 2023

Pakistan’s Bilateral Trade with Smaller South Asian States

Sandaleen Qaiser Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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September, 2023

Proposed Iran-Saudi Gulf Maritime Security Cooperation: An Alternative to I2U2?

Syed Fraz Hussain Naqvi and Maria Mansab Asst. Research Officer and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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August, 2023

Challenges to the SCO’s Counterterrorism Mechanism and the Way Forward

Syed Imran Sardar and Khushbakht Shahid Research Analyst and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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July, 2023

Enhancing Climate Security in Pakistan: A Bottom-Up Strategy

Talha Tufail Bhatti and Laraib Farhat Asst. Research Officer and Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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June, 2023

China’s Increasing Influence in the Middle East and the Future of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

Usman Zulfiqar Ali Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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May, 2023

Pakistan’s Policy Choices in Afghanistan

Zunaira Inam Khan Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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April, 2023

Iran’s Policy towards Taliban 2.0: A Circumspect Approach for Maximum Gain

Fraz Naqvi and Ammara Zaheer Asst. Research Officer and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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March, 2023

The Factor of Gwadar Port in Growing Interdependence between Pakistan and China

Nabila Jaffer Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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February, 2023

Afghanistan’s Interim Taliban Government

Farhan Khan Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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January, 2023

From E-learning to Ed-tech; A Case Study of India’s Road to Education 4.0

Laraib Farhat Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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December, 2022

China’s Global Security Initiative and Global Development Initiative: A Challenge to the US-led Global Order?

Siham Javid Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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November, 2022

US Containment Policy against China in South Asia: Implications for Pakistan

Usama Khalid Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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October, 2022

India and I2U2: A Challenge to Pakistan’s Traditional Influence in the Middle East

Fraz Naqvi and Khatim Ghani Asst. Research Officer and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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August, 2022

The Evolving AI Arena in the Neighbourhood: Implications and Options for Pakistan

Ayesha Zafar Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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July, 2022

Pakistan and the Carbon Challenge

Syed Imran Sardar and Khoula Liaqat Research Analyst and Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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June, 2022

The Legality of the Drone War: Drone Strikes under International Humanitarian Law

Zunaira Inam Khan Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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May, 2022

Inside India’s Digital Hate Space

Laraib Farhat Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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April, 2022

Application of Non-Refoulement in the Context of International Law

Zunaira Inam Khan Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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March, 2022

Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations

Amna Ejaz Rafi Research Associate, IPRI

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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February, 2022

Yemen War and its Impacts on Pak-Iran Bilateral Relations: A Way Forward

Fraz Naqvi Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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January, 2022

Iran Vs US: A Comparative Analysis of Post-Election Scenario

Amna Nisar Abbasi Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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December, 2021

Prospects of Middle Eastern Quad and its Implications for Pakistan

Fraz Naqvi Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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November, 2021

India’s inroads into the Middle East: Implications for Pakistan

Laraib Farhat Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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October, 2021

Rise of Hindutva as a Creed: It’s Impact on India’s Politics and Society

Amna Ejaz Rafi & Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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September, 2021

Does The Political Importance of Islam in Pakistan and Bangladesh Lie in The Fact That Religion Has Served To Bolster State Power?

Zunaira Inam Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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July, 2021

Sino-Indian Competition in the Maldives: Implications for Regional Security

Fatima Shabbir Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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June, 2021

Can India and Pakistan Overcome the Past?

Humera Iqbal Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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May, 2021

The US Security Leadership in Asia-Pacific and China’s Countermeasures

Muhammad Abubaker Intern at IRS

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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April, 2021

Farmers’ Protests in India: Has the Government Weathered the Storm

Aarish U Khan Research Analyst/ Editor

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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March, 2021

India, the Changing Security Environment, and the Regional Stability: An Explainer

Syed Imran Sardar Research Analyst

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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February, 2021

BAT and the BRI: A dive into China’s Digital Economy

Laraib Farhat Asst. Research Officer

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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January, 2021

Canada-US Relations: A Case Study of Trump Era

Maham Khan MPhil student at Quaid-i-Azam University

A detailed analysis and perspective on regional developments and issues of strategic importance...

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